The 2026 World Cup led to significant delays for clubs looking to complete the required deals to strengthen their squads, so we are set for a very busy final week of the transfer window.
With Deadline Day fast approaching (Tuesday, February 1st), clubs must move quickly to address the problem positions in their squads.
Here, Flashscore takes a look at one area to strengthen for each Premier League club, as well as some of the names already linked in the market.
Get ready for the new Premier League season
The Premier League returns on Friday, August 21st as defending champions Arsenal host new boys Coventry in the 2026/27 curtain-raiser.
Get ready for kick-off ahead of the new season:
- Transfer Tracker: All the latest done deals and rumours
- Premier League fixture list revealed for 2026/27
- All Premier League and top European club kits for the 2026/27 season
Arsenal - Left winger
Arsenal's desire to sign a new superstar left winger has been no secret throughout the transfer window, with the Gunners reportedly plotting a big move for Vinicius Jr earlier in the summer before he penned a new deal at Real Madrid.
The form of Christos Tzolis since joining has taken away some of the need to recruit a new forward, but questions remain over the future of Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian has been linked with a move away to Al Hilal, and if that were to materialise, Arsenal would certainly need another body in that position.
Bradley Barcola has been the name constantly popping up throughout the summer, but links have cooled in recent weeks.
Aston Villa - Central defender
Unfortunately for Aston Villa, their squad has been decimated over the 2026 summer transfer window.
Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Morgan Rogers have left and been replaced, while they have also brought in Zion Suzuki amid the likely departure of Emiliano Martinez.
Ezri Konsa has been sold to Arsenal, which leaves a huge hole in Villa's back four. A new defender is needed as soon as possible to replace the England international - Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been explored, but reports point towards a move for Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez instead.
There are also question marks over the future of Ollie Watkins - his sale hasn't quite picked up yet, but a striker is a must if the club's record Premier League goalscorer moves on.
Bournemouth - N/A*
Bournemouth's transfer business is pretty much complete following the arrival of goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio on loan from Juventus.
It's clear to see why when you look at their squad, with the Cherries well-stocked in every area of the pitch. Perhaps if we were to be super critical, they could add a more natural left winger to the team.
That would probably only happen with someone moving out the other way, though.
The main thing for Bournemouth to do in the final week of the window is hold on to the likes of Alex Scott, Rayan and Eli Junior Kroupi.
*N/A unless a major star is sold.
Brentford - Left-back
Brentford don't necessarily need a left-back, considering Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry and even Keane Lewis-Potter are all capable of playing there.
This suggestion is more based on the reports that they are chasing a deal for West Ham's El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Senegal international would give them a different dimension among their current options - the 21-year-old possesses a superb crossing ability and would be a top long-term addition to the squad.
Brighton - Centre midfield
Carlos Baleba has just left Brighton for Manchester United, which leaves a bit of a hole in their midfield unit.
The Seagulls still have some good options in the middle with the likes of Pascal Gross, Jack Hinshelwood and Yasin Ayari among other, less experienced players.
Brighton may need to look to plug the hole in their squad in the closing days of the window - although their opening day thrashing of Aston Villa certainly takes some pressure off things.
Chelsea - Goalkeeper
It was admittedly tough to pick out a specific weak point for Chelsea considering all the business they have already done this summer - adding in essentially every position on the pitch bar one.
That one area is goalkeeper, and the performance of Robert Sanchez in the Blues' 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday evening undoubtedly raises some concerns for the campaign ahead.
The Spaniard was at fault for both goals and, if Chelsea want to capitalise on a division that is wide open at the top of the table, they will need better between the sticks.
No real names have been linked at all, but it feels like goalkeeper is a position for Xabi Alonso's side to address.
Coventry - Left-back
Promoted clubs always have a whirlwind transfer window and Coventry have been no different after adding nine players to their squad already.
It seems that experienced defender Ethan Pinnock will be taking them into double figures.
Following his arrival, the Sky Blues really need to add another left-back to provide competition for Jay Dasilva. The Welsh international is currently deputised by a 33-year-old Jake Bidwell, and more quality will be needed to tighten things at the back for Frank Lampard's men.
A move for Manchester City youngster Stephen Mfuni - a central defender who is seen as capable of playing on the left - has fallen through, which suggests Coventry will be in the market for a new target before Deadline Day.
Crystal Palace - Central defender
Crystal Palace have needed a defender to replace Maxence Lacroix ever since the Frenchman joined Chelsea, but they now seriously need defensive reinforcements after Chadi Riad was stretchered off in their opening-day defeat to Everton.
Axel Disasi looks set to join on loan, while the Eagles have also been linked to the likes of Ismaelo Ganiou and Raphael Le Guen.
They may also look to sign a striker if Jean-Philippe Mateta moves on in the final week of the window, with Aston Villa reportedly having a bid rejected for the 29-year-old.
Everton - Right-back
It's no secret that Everton need a right-back and have done ever since Seamus Coleman's career started to slow down. The Irishman has now left the club and reports have emerged that Jake O'Brien - who often featured on the right last season - may be set to follow in the final days of the window.
Danny Rohl featured at right-back in the opening-day win over Crystal Palace, but a natural fit is crucial for the season ahead.
Daniel Munoz has been among a host of names linked throughout the summer but at the time of writing it appears those rumours have gone cold. A decision is needed before the window closes.
Fulham - Central defender
Fulham are a little bit short in defence and their 3-2 defeat to Chelsea highlighted the issues that come with having to play two left-footed players together.
A specialist to cover the 'right' centre back position is key before the window shuts, especially following the departure of Issa Diop earlier in the window.
The club has been targeting Rennes' Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal but appears to be moving on after failing to reach an agreement with the French club.
Hull - Forward
Hull have been busy throughout the window and are showing no signs of slowing down in the final week.
The Tigers have so far recruited plenty of players for their defence, midfield and goalkeeping department - with forwards next on the agenda.
Joe Gelhardt has already arrived and plenty of other names have been linked; Nice's Mohamed-Ali Cho appears set to join the club, as does Union Berlin's Ilyas Ansah.
Following that, Yeremay Hernandez has been chased all window and it looks like Hull remain in the race to sign the Spaniard.
Ipswich - Striker
Ipswich initially broke their transfer record to sign striker Emersonn early in the window, although they have since surpassed his reported £24 million fee with the signing of Julio Enciso.
The Brazilian looks like a talented forward and has already made an impact after scoring on his Premier League debut against Sunderland.
Beyond him, though, Ipswich's next option is Chuba Akpom - who struggled for regular starts in the Championship last season, netting just two goals.
A third striking option seems like a good move for the Tractor Boys in their bid to avoid relegation back to the second tier.
Leeds - Left winger/attacking midfielder
Leeds have had a great window so far but do still need a couple of players in to fill some gaps in the squad.
It has been well-documented that they were keen on Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk, but a deal now seems dead, meaning they might shift to another target.
Daniel Farke likes to play with two forwards either side of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, supported by wing-backs, rather than out-and-out wingers, which gives them a bit more scope to recruit either a direct player like Mudryk or more of an attacking-midfield style signing.
They could also use a wing-back to deputise for Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Liverpool - Winger
Liverpool are still yet to replace club legend Mohamed Salah on their right-hand side and had to play youngster Rio Ngumoha out of position in their Premier League opener against Newcastle.
Salah's output will be almost impossible to replicate in just one player and plenty of rumours persist that the Reds are looking to add at least two more wingers to their squad.
PSG duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye are the names constantly linked, yet there hasn't really been much movement beyond that. The Athletic have reported that key talks are set to take place soon over the transfer of Barcola.
Brighton forward Yankuba Minteh seems to be the most credible player that Liverpool are after - even if he is set for a two-to-three month spell on the sidelines through injury.
Manchester City - Centre midfield
Manchester City have completely reshaped their squad over the summer with several high-profile departures and, at the time of writing, are yet to bring much quality into the squad aside from the club-record signing of Elliot Anderson.
Breakout World Cup star Ayyoub Bouaddi is also set to join, as well as young Brazilian winger Allan - but plenty more are needed for Enzo Maresca's side.
A midfield partnership of Anderson and Bouaddi could be enviable for anyone in the years to come, but City probably need a bit more security in the short term in case it takes time for the latter to adapt to his new surroundings.
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez seems the most likely option, based on various reports in recent weeks.
Manchester United - Left-back
Midfield signings were point number one on the agenda for Manchester United's summer business and the Red Devils have delivered with the arrivals of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba.
That leaves United with one other position to fill in their squad: left-back.
Luke Shaw is the only senior player at the club for that role with Patrick Dorgu operating higher up the pitch, meaning some back-up is needed for the reliable but ageing Englishman.
Newcastle's Lewis Hall has been linked all window without any progress, and versatile Brighton defender Ferdi Kadioglu is the most recent name to appear in the media.
Newcastle - Right winger
Newcastle have probably had the busiest summer of any Premier League side in terms of change around the club after appointing a new manager and selling leading stars Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon.
The Magpies have addressed the majority of the issues in their squad and look set to complete their midfield rebuild with the signing of Nico Gonzalez.
That leaves them with the primary need to sign a top-class right-winger. Anthony Elanga has so far impressed under Matthias Jaissle, but bringing in a major talent on that side of the pitch would be a significant boost for the club.
Nottingham Forest - Striker
The main position Forest appear to be targeting as the window draws to a close is another striker.
Major reports have suggested they have agreed a deal to sign Chelsea's Liam Delap, who will provide competition for Igor Jesus and Chris Wood.
Forest have also been linked with midfield targets, but a fresh signing up front seems to be the main aim - despite what feels like a growing concern among supporters that they need more before the window slams shut.
Sunderland - Right winger
Sunderland have had a quiet window so far, but it has been commonly reported that lots of movement is expected in the final week.
The Black Cats have an abundance of wingers more suited to the left side of the pitch, but need a specialist for the right-hand side and have often had to resort to playing right-back Trai Hume out of position.
Sporting's Geny Catamo has been a bit of an ongoing saga in recent weeks, while Roma's Matias Soule has been mentioned earlier in the summer.
Tottenham - Forward
Spurs have enjoyed a huge transfer window with plenty of big money spent in a bid to give Roberto De Zerbi the best possible chance of bringing the club back up the league table.
Their focus has, up until just a few hours ago, been on the defence and midfield - until they confirmed the signing of Manchester City winger Savio.
Reports have linked Spurs with as many as two more forward signings, although that would cost a lot more, so they may end up settling for one (just as an observation, not based on any financial stats).
Fellow City star Omar Marmoush is said to be waiting for permission to travel to London and complete his medical.
